D&G Opens in Europe for Kia

LOS ANGELES Bucking the trend toward agency contraction, independent David & Goliath is launching an office in London, its first location outside its headquarters here.

D&G will open a London office to service Kia Motors’ creative business in Germany in tandem with Innocean Worldwide, the carmaker’s in-house shop, which has European operations in Frankfurt, and will oversee media, account management, strategy and other chores. D&G will also establish an outpost in Frankfurt.

Kia has long been D&G’s showpiece domestic account and by far its largest assignment since the shop launched in 1999. In the U.S. alone, the brand spends approximately $220 million annually on ads, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

Recent ad efforts by D&G for the nameplate have touted fuel efficiency. Also, Kia has announced several key partnerships in recent months, including sponsorship of the Van’s Warped Tour and a deal with the NBA. Last fall, the brand was a presenting sponsor of NBA’s Tip-Off Week.

Said agency CEO David Angelo: “Now we want to do for Kia Motors in Germany what we’ve done for Kia America over the past nine years and spread our challenger spirit overseas.”

To start, D&G is seeking an executive creative director in London and will bring aboard at leas three copy/art teams. These resources will be allocated across London and Frankfurt.

Other D&G assignments include Universal Orlando Resort, Bacardi, Universal Studios Hollywood and the New York-New York Hotel & Casino.